When you think of winter, do you think of snow and staying indoors and cuddling by a roaring fire? Perhaps images of sipping hot cocoa with a book come to mind? While wintertime is a time of cooler weather temperatures, it is also a time of increased coughs and colds. The time to stock up for cold season is before it is cold season. This is especially important for those who have children in the house and a deployment for the military member may be upcoming – you do not want to be heading to the grocery store or even grocery pick up if you have sick kids. Here are the x things to stock up on at the commissary before cold season.
- Canned soup – this may go without saying, but getting canned soup means you can prepare a simple meal that will provide nourishment and relief without much work.
- Broth – Like soup, the prepared broth is soothing for the throat, congestion, and belly. It is full of nutrients too. Just watch the salt content as some of the canned varieties pack a ton, and you don’t want a lot of sodium-filled foods when you are already dehydrated from sneezing or nasal congestion.
- Mac and Cheese – this is key for kiddos who may like this creature comfort when sick.
- Orange Juice – vitamin C in this beverage is a healing antioxidant that your body needs during a respiratory virus.
- Tea – Whether you enjoy the loose-leaf or boxed variety, tea provides a hot beverage that provides relief from nasal congestion and pressure as well as post-nasal drop that coughs and colds bring with them. There are many caffeine-free varieties.
- Honey – A soothing accompaniment to tea, honey is comforting and helps with allergies. Honey should not be given to children under 12 months of age per the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Menthol Chest Rub – This rub may assist with congestion and allow for easier sleeping, which will help with restoration and recovery from a cold. There are both children’s and adult versions. If you have young children, check out the patches that go on their clothing – this prevents them from potentially eating the rub.
- Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen – These medications reduce fever and pain when you have a cold. Remember that ibuprofen is not recommended for children 6 months and under. And never give aspirin to a child unless instructed by your medical provider.
- Guafenesin or cold syrup – If you know that there is a certain medication you love that alleviates your congestion or cough, get one to have on hand so it is ready before you get sick. This also prevents it from being out of stock when it is cold and flu season.
- Thermometer – while you may not think of the commissary as a place to pick this up, they do have them in the medicine aisle. If you have limited time to pick up supplies, grab it while you can.
- Cough drops – As an adult, talking is necessary for function. When you have a cold or flu, talking hurts – cough drops can help soothe a sore throat. If you have children, they make fantastic cough drop lollipops so they can be soothed without the choking risks that cough drops present.
- Soap – Make sure to have an extra soap pump or two before cold season hits. When you or a family member are dealing with a cold is not the time you want to be picking up hand soap. And with a cold there will be an increase in handwashing at home.
- Soft tissues – do not get the cheapest – these are the ones with cushions on them – you want the comfort to cover your nose if you are sneezing and have rhinorrhea.
- Disinfecting Wipes – While you need these year-round, always keep an extra on hand to wipe down surfaces to disinfect when cold/flu season hits your home.
- A moisturizing lotion – with all the handwashing, you will need a moisturizing lotion to lock in the moisture and keep your hands soft. Check if water is the first ingredient – if is, move on and look for another lotion.
